CN102355703A - Radio communication terminal and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

The wireless communication terminal of the present invention determines a desired communication speed to be used on a forward link based on reception conditions of carriers Cfw1 to Cfw3, and transmits a DRC value indicating the desired communication speed to a wireless base station. When the number of reverse link carriers used for communication on the reverse link is smaller than the number of wireless base stations, the wireless communication terminal uses the carrier Crv1 to transmit the speed control value for the wireless base stations.

Description

Wireless communication terminal and communication method

This application is a divisional application of the application 200680048859.3 entitled "Wireless Communication Terminal and Communication Method" submitted by the applicant "Kyocera Corporation" on December 21, 2006.

technical field

The present invention relates to a communication control system, a wireless communication terminal, and a communication control method, which are applied to communication performed by multi-carriers using a plurality of carriers.

Background technique

In a mobile communication system using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), 1xEV-DO (1x Evolution-Data Dedicated) for realizing high-speed data communication is provided (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-300644 (No. 2-3 page and Fig. 1)).

In 1xEV-DO, a single carrier is assigned to a single user (wireless communication terminal). Furthermore, the implementation of so-called "multi-carrier" (nxEV-DO) has been considered, which enables higher-speed data communication by allocating multiple carriers, for example three carriers, to a single user.

In 1xEV-DO and nxEV-DO, the "desired communication speed" to be used on the forward link (direction from the radio base station to the radio communication terminal) is determined based on the reception condition of the carrier at the radio communication terminal.

The wireless communication terminal periodically transmits the speed control value to each base station using a carrier on a reverse link (direction from the wireless communication terminal to the wireless base station) set between the wireless communication terminal and the wireless base station. The speed control value indicates a desired communication speed, and specifically, a data rate control (DRC) value (hereinafter referred to as "DRC value").

Contents of the invention

In nxEV-DO, the number of reverse link carriers may be smaller than the number of wireless base stations transmitting forward link carriers due to the difference between communication speeds on the forward link and reverse link, etc.

In this case, there arises a problem that the wireless communication terminal cannot use the reverse link carrier to transmit the speed control value (DRC value) to each wireless base station.

Therefore, the present invention has been accomplished in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication terminal and a communication method which can surely notify the speed control value to the wireless base station.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following aspects. The first aspect of the present invention is summarized as follows: a radio communication terminal (radio communication terminal 200) configured to communicate with a plurality of radio base stations (radio base stations 100A to 100C) by using a multi-carrier of a plurality of carriers, the The wireless communication terminal includes: a desired communication speed determination unit (DRC processor 210) configured to determine a desired communication speed to be used on the forward link based on the reception condition of the carrier; and a speed control value transmitter (wireless transmitting and receiving unit 201 and signal processor 203), configured to transmit a speed control value (DRC value) indicating the desired communication speed determined by the desired communication speed determining unit to the wireless base station, wherein , when the number of reverse link carriers (such as one carrier) used for communication on the reverse link is less than the forward link wireless base station transmitting on the forward link carrier used for communication on the forward link The speed control value transmitter transmits the speed control value for each of the forward link wireless base stations using any of the reverse link carriers when the number of the radio base stations is 3 (for example, three base stations).

In the wireless communication terminal as described above, when the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number of forward link base stations that transmit forward link carriers, any of the reverse link carriers is used to transmit data for each The speed control value of the wireless base station.

The speed control value for each of the forward link wireless base stations and transmitted to any one of the forward link wireless base stations is relayed to the wireless base stations using an existing communication protocol.

Therefore, even when the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number of forward link radio base stations, it is certainly possible to notify the speed control value to the radio base stations.

A second aspect of the present invention is summarized as a wireless communication terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention. The wireless communication terminal further includes: a time frame extension unit (signal processor 203), configured to extend a time frame for sending the speed control value, wherein the speed control value transmitter uses a time frame extended by the time frame The speed control value for the forward link radio base station is transmitted in units of extended time frames.

A third aspect of the present invention is summarized as the wireless communication terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention. The wireless communication terminal further includes: a receiver (wireless sending and receiving unit 201 and signal processor 203), configured to receive from the wireless base station the timing of sending the speed control value for the wireless base station, wherein the The speed control value transmitter transmits a speed control value for the wireless base station based on timing received by the receiver.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is summarized as the wireless communication terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention. In the wireless communication terminal, different spreading codes (for example, Walsh codes) are used for the respective channels in the reverse link carrier. The wireless communication terminal further includes: a code number increasing unit (Walsh code processor 217) configured to increase the number of the spreading codes, wherein the speed control value transmitter uses a code generated based on the spreading codes A new channel is used to transmit the speed control value for the forward link radio base station, and the spreading code is increased by the code number increasing unit.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is summarized as the wireless communication terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention. In the wireless communication terminal, error tolerance improvement information (biorthogonal encoding and codeword repetition) for improving tolerance against transmission errors is added to the speed control value, and the speed control value transmitter The addition of the error tolerance improvement information is omitted, and a speed control value for the forward link radio base station is transmitted instead of the error tolerance improvement information.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is summarized as a communication method for performing communication between a plurality of wireless base stations and a wireless communication terminal by using a multi-carrier of a plurality of carriers, the communication method including the step of: receiving conditions to determine (steps S35 and 55) a desired communication speed to be used on the forward link; and send (steps S40 and 60) a speed control value indicating the determined desired communication speed to each wireless base station, wherein , in said transmitting step, when the number of reverse link carriers used for communication on the reverse link is less than the number of forward link carriers used to communicate on said forward link When the number of radio base stations is 1, the speed control value for the forward link radio base stations is transmitted using any of the reverse link carriers.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is summarized as the communication method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. The communication method further includes the step of extending a time frame for transmitting the speed control value. In the transmitting step, the speed control value for the forward link radio base station is transmitted using an extended time frame.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is summarized as the communication method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. The communication method further includes the step of receiving (steps S120 and 170) from the wireless base station the timing of receiving the speed control value for the wireless base station. Wherein in the transmitting step, the speed control value for the radio base station is transmitted based on the timing received in the receiving step.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is summarized as the communication method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. In the communication method, in the reverse link carrier, different spreading codes are used for each channel, and the communication method further includes the step of: increasing the number of the spreading codes, wherein in the sending step , the speed control value for the forward link radio base station is transmitted using a new channel generated based on the added spreading code.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is summarized as the communication method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. In the communication method, error tolerance improvement information for improving tolerance against a transmission error is added to the speed control value; and in the sending step, addition of the error tolerance improvement information is omitted , and send the speed control value of the forward link radio base station instead of sending the error tolerance improvement information.

The present invention provides a wireless communication terminal and a communication method in which it is possible to definitely notify a speed control value to a wireless base station even when the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number of wireless base stations transmitting the forward link carrier.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mobile communication network including wireless communication terminals according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of a radio base station according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of a wireless communication terminal according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic communication sequence diagram related to DRC value transmission according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed communication sequence diagram related to DRC length extension according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a DRC channel according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the configuration of a conventional DRC channel.

Fig. 7 shows definitions of fields in a TCA message according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a TCA message using Band Class according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram of functional blocks for realizing functions related to spreading code processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the combination of Walsh codes according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a reverse link channel configuration diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the same or similar reference numerals are given to denote the same or similar parts in the description of the drawings below. However, the drawings are only schematically shown, and the ratios of sizes and the like are different from actual ratios.

Accordingly, specific sizes and the like should be judged by referring to the following description. Of course, there are parts included in which the size relationship or ratio of the drawings differs from each other.

[first embodiment]

(Schematic Configuration of Mobile Communication Network)

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mobile communication network 10 including a wireless communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile communication network 10 provides high-speed data communication (nxEV-DO) by multi-carrier using a plurality of carriers. Data communication includes voice data over VoIP.

The radio base station 100A is a radio base station (AN) capable of transmitting and receiving at least one carrier. The radio base station 100B and the radio base station 100C also have configurations similar to those of the radio base station 100A.

The radio communication terminal 200 is a mobile phone terminal (access terminal [AT]) that performs communication with the radio base stations 100A to 100C by using a multi-carrier of a plurality of carriers.

Packet control functions (PCFs) 300A and 300B are connected to the wireless base stations 100A to 100C, and control packet transmission paths and the like passing through the wireless base stations 100A to 100C. The number of radio base stations, radio communication terminals, and PCFs and the number of carriers included in the mobile communication network 10 are not limited to the numbers shown in FIG. 1 .

In the mobile communication network 10, a "desired communication speed" to be used on the forward link (the direction from the radio base stations 100A to 100C to the radio communication terminal 200) is determined.

Specifically, the radio communication terminal 200 periodically changes the DRC value ( Speed control value) is sent to each wireless base station 100A to 100C. The DRC value indicates the desired communication speed.

(function block configuration)

FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the radio base station 100A. FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of wireless communication terminal 200 .

Note that hereinafter, a description is mainly given of a part related to the present invention. Therefore, the radio base station 100A and the radio communication terminal 200 may also include functional blocks (such as a power supply unit) necessary for device operations but not shown or omitted in the description.

(1) Wireless base station 100A

As shown in FIG. 2 , the radio base station 100A includes a radio transmission and reception unit 101 , a signal processor 103 , a network connection unit 105 and a DRC processor 110 .

The wireless transmission and reception unit 101 transmits wireless signals to and receives wireless signals from the wireless communication terminal 200 . A wireless signal is configured by a single carrier (carrier Cfwl: see FIG. 1 ). The wireless transmission and reception unit 101 also performs digital modulation (and demodulation) processing on wireless signals and baseband signals. The wireless transmission and reception unit 101 transmits baseband signals to and receives baseband signals from the signal processor 103 .

The signal processor 103 processes a baseband signal, and relays the baseband signal between the wireless transmission and reception unit 101 and the network connection unit 105 .

The signal processor 103 also relays the DRC value received from the wireless communication terminal 200 to the DRC processor 110 via the wireless transmission and reception unit 101 .

The network connection unit 105 provides a network interface for connecting the PCF 300A and 300B.

The DRC processor 110 controls the communication speed of data transmitted by using the forward link carrier based on the DRC value received from the wireless communication terminal 200 . As shown in FIG. 7, the DRC processor 110 may also store a table defining the content of a TCA (Traffic Channel Assignment) message.

The DRC processor can instruct the wireless communication terminal 200 about the timing to transmit the DRC value. Specifically, the DRC processor 110 transmits information indicating the timing of transmitting the DRC value to the wireless communication terminal 200 .

(2) Wireless communication terminal 200

As shown in FIG. 3 , the wireless communication terminal 200 includes a wireless transmission and reception unit 201 , a signal processor 203 and a DRC processor 210 .

The wireless transmission and reception unit 201 can transmit a wireless signal to each of the wireless base stations 100A to 100C and receive a wireless signal from each of the wireless base stations 100A to 100C. Wireless signals are configured by a single carrier. The wireless transmission and reception unit 201 also performs digital modulation (and demodulation) processing on wireless signals and baseband signals. The wireless transmission and reception unit 201 transmits the baseband signal to the signal processor 203 and receives the baseband signal from the signal processor 203 .

The signal processor 203 processes baseband signals. Signal processor 203 also transmits the DRC value output by DRC processor 210 to wireless base stations 100A to 100C. According to the present embodiment, the wireless transmission and reception unit 201 and the signal processor 203 are configured as a speed control value transmitter unit.

According to the present embodiment, when the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number (three base stations) of wireless base stations (forward link wireless base stations) transmitting forward link carriers (carriers Cfwl to Cfw3: see FIG. 1 ), the signal Processor 203 transmits the DRC value for each radio base station transmitting the forward link carrier using any of the reverse link carriers.

For example, when radio communication terminal 200 receives individual carriers Cfw1 to Cfw3 from radio base stations 100A to 100C on forward links, respectively, radio communication terminal 200 does not have to transmit individual carriers to radio base stations 100A to 100C on reverse links, respectively.

In other words, due to the difference in communication speed between the forward link and the reverse link, saving of transmission power, application characteristics, etc., the wireless communication terminal 200 can use the carrier Crv1 (see FIG. 1 ) only on the reverse link. It is sent to the radio base station 100A.

In this case, the signal processor 203 transmits the DRC values for the radio base station 100B and the radio base station 100C to the radio base station 100A using the transmitted carrier Crv1. The radio base station 100A that has received the DRC values for the radio base station 100B and the radio base station 100C relays the DRC values to the radio base station 100B and the radio base station 100C, respectively.

The signal processor 203 may extend the time frame used to transmit the DRC value. According to this embodiment, the signal processor 203 is configured as a time frame extension unit.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6( a ), the signal processor 203 extends the DRC length, which is included in the DRC channel, from one slot to four slots. Fig. 6(b) shows the configuration of a conventional DRC channel, where the DRC length is not extended.

According to the present embodiment, the signal processor 203 uses four slots and uses the carrier Crv1 to transmit DRC values for a plurality of wireless base stations. For example, the DRC value of the radio base station 100A may be assigned to "DRC1" and the DRC value of the radio base station 100B may be assigned to "DRC2".

According to the present embodiment, the transmission timing at which the DRC value is transmitted from the radio communication terminal 200 to the radio base station 100A is determined between the radio communication terminal 200 and the radio base station 100A. Therefore, the content of the TCA (Traffic Channel Assignment) message is extended.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a field F1 (Band Class Included), a field F2 (Band Class) and a field F3 (DRC Length Offset) are added.

When the wireless base station supports multiple frequency bands using multiple frequencies, set field F1 (Band Class Included) to "1" and field F2 (Band Class) to valid.

Field F2 (Band Class) indicates a band class (BandClass) in which wireless communication terminal 200 performs communication. Field F3 (DRC Length Offset) indicates the timing for sending the DRC value. The specific usage method of the field will be described below.

The signal processor 203 can receive the timing at which the DRC value for the radio base station is transmitted from the radio base stations 100A to 100C. According to this embodiment, the wireless transmission and reception unit 201 and the signal processor 203 are configured as a receiver.

The signal processor 203 can transmit the DRC value for each wireless base station based on the received timing.

DRC processor 210 determines a desired communication speed to be used on the forward link based on the reception conditions of the carriers received by WTRU 201 . According to the present embodiment, the DRC processor 210 is configured as a desired communication speed determination unit.

The DRC processor 210 outputs a DRC value indicating the determined desired communication speed to the signal processor 203 .

(Operation of wireless communication terminal and wireless base station)

Next, operations of the radio communication terminal 200 and the radio base station 100A will be described. Specifically, an operation performed by the radio communication terminal 200 of transmitting the DRC values for the radio base stations 100A to 100C using the carrier Crv1 will be described.

(1) Schematic communication sequence

Fig. 4 is a schematic communication sequence diagram related to DRC value transmission. As shown in FIG. 4 , in step S5 , radio communication terminal 200 detects the communication speed of data transmitted by carrier Cfw1 received from radio base station 100A, and the reception condition of the carrier (such as CIR). Wireless communication terminal 200 also determines a desired communication speed (DRC value: DRC1 in the figure) to be used for data transmitted by carrier Cfw1 based on the detection result.

In step S10, the radio communication terminal 200 uses the carrier Cfw1 and transmits the DRC value (DRC1) to the radio base station 100A.

In steps S15 and S20, the wireless communication terminal 200 repeats processing similar to that in steps S5 and S10.

In step S30, the radio communication terminal 200 receives the carrier wave Cfw2 transmitted from the radio base station 100B. Specifically, wireless transmitting terminal 200 receives a T-CH communication channel (traffic channel).

In step S35 , radio communication terminal 200 detects the communication speed of data transmitted by carrier Cfw1 and carrier Cfw2 respectively received from radio base stations 100A and 100B, and the reception status of the carriers. Wireless communication terminal 200 also determines a desired communication speed (DRC values: DRC 1 and DRC 2 in the figure) for data transmitted by carrier Cfw1 and carrier Cfw2 based on the detection results.

In step S40, the radio communication terminal 200 uses the carrier Cfw1 and transmits the DRC values (DRC1 and DRC2) to the radio base station 100A.

In step S50, the radio base station 100A relays the received DRC value (DRC 2) for the radio base station 100B to the radio base station 100B. When the DRC value for the radio base station 100C is included, the radio base station 100B can also relay the DRC value for the radio base station 100C. Alternatively, the radio base station 100A may transmit the DRC value to the radio base station 100C.

In step S60, the wireless communication terminal 200 repeats processing similar to that in step S40. In step S70, the wireless base station 100A repeats processing similar to that in step S50.

(2) Detailed sequence

Figure 5 is a detailed communication sequence regarding DRC length extension. As shown in FIG. 5, the radio communication terminal 200 transmits a connection request to the radio base station 100A.

In step S120 , the radio base station 100A transmits a TCA message to the radio communication terminal 200 . Specifically, based on the table shown in FIG. 7 , the radio base station 100A transmits a TCA message in which DRC Length=4, Band Class Included=0, and DRC Length Offset=0. In this case, the DRC value is sent at the "DRC 1" timing shown in Fig. 6(a).

Each radio base station can transmit to radio communication terminal 200 the timing for transmitting the DRC value to the radio base station itself. The radio communication terminal 200 can transmit the DRC value for each radio base station based on the received timing.

In step S130, based on the received TCA message, radio communication terminal 200 transmits a notification (T-CH complete) to radio base station 100A indicating that T-CH setting has been completed.

In step S140, the radio base station 100A and the radio communication terminal 200 start data communication using the set T-CH.

In step S150, the radio communication terminal 200 detects that the RSSI of the carrier Cfw2 transmitted from the radio base station 100B is strong.

In step S160, the radio communication terminal 200 uses the carrier Cfw2 and transmits to the radio base station 100A a message (routing update) indicating that forward link communication with the radio base station 100B has also started.

In step S170 , the radio base station 100A transmits a TCA message to the radio communication terminal 200 . Specifically, based on the table shown in FIG. 7 , the wireless base station 100A transmits a TCA message in which DRC Length=4, Band Class Included=0, and DRC Length Offset=1. In this case, the DRC value is sent at the "DRC 2" timing shown in Figure 6(a).

In step S180, based on the received TCA message, the radio communication terminal 200 transmits a notification (T-CH complete) to the radio base station 100A indicating that the T-CH setting has been completed.

In step S190, the radio base station 100B and the radio communication terminal 200 start data communication using the set T-CH. The data communication started in step S140 is continued even in step S190.

(modified example)

According to the above embodiment, no Band Class is used. However, when using multiple frequency bands, it can be changed to use Band Class to send TCA messages.

Figure 8(a) and (b) show examples of TCA messages using Band Class.

When comparing the TCA message shown in FIG. 8(a) with the TCA message shown in FIG. 5, the value of Band Class Included (BC Included) is "1". In other words, Band Class (BC) becomes valid. Band Class is set to "3".

FIG. 8(b) shows a TCA message that may be sent in the above step S170.

When comparing the TCA message shown in FIG. 8(b) with the TCA message shown in FIG. 5, the value of Band Class Included (BC Included) is "1". In other words, Band Class (BC) becomes valid. Band Class is set to "0", indicating that communication with the radio base station 100B needs to be performed using a frequency band different from the frequency band for communication with the radio base station 100A.

[Second Embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to the present embodiment, a plurality of DRC values are transmitted by using the carrier Crv1. Therefore, the number of spreading codes (Walsh codes) applied to the carrier Crv1 is increased.

Hereinafter, portions different from those according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. Descriptions of similar parts will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram of functional blocks for realizing functions related to spreading code processing in the signal processor 203. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9 , for spreading code processing, the signal processor 203 includes an orthogonal encoder 211 , a code word processor 213 , a mapping unit 215 , a Walsh code processor 217 and a multiplier 219 .

The orthogonal encoder 211 (biorthogonal encoding) performs orthogonal encoding on the sign of the input DRC value. A codeword processor 213 (codeword repetition) adds a codeword to the symbols output from the orthogonal encoder 211 . In other words, according to the present embodiment, error tolerance improvement information is added to the DRC value. The error tolerance improvement information improves tolerance against transmission errors.

Mapping unit 215 assigns symbols output from codeword processor 213 to baseband signals (+1, -1).

The Walsh code processor 217 generates the Walsh code multiplied by the multiplier, and outputs the generated Walsh code. According to the present embodiment, the Walsh code processor 217 is configured as a code number increasing unit that increases the number of spreading codes (Walsh codes).

FIG. 10 is a combination of Walsh codes used according to this embodiment. In FIG. 10 , shaded portions indicate portions added to conventional (nxEV-DO) Walsh codes.

The multiplier 219 performs code division multiplexing on the baseband signal output from the mapping unit 215 using Walsh codes. In other words, in carrier Crv1, different spreading codes are used for each channel, which enables code division multiple access. The above situation is similarly applied to the carriers Cfw1 to Cfw3 transmitted by the radio base stations 100A to 100C.

The DRC processor 210 according to the present embodiment transmits a plurality of DRC values using a new channel generated based on the Walsh code added by the Walsh code processor 217 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , a reverse link channel configuration is used in which DRC channel 1 to DRC channel 3 are generated by code division multiplexing. DRC channel 1 to DRC channel 3 correspond to radio base stations 100A to 100C.

(modified example)

According to this embodiment, by adding a spreading code (Walsh code), multiple DRC values are transmitted with a single carrier. However, multiple DRC values can be transmitted with a single carrier by omitting the addition of error tolerance improvement information, instead of adding a spreading code.

Specifically, processing realized by the orthogonal encoder 211 (biorthogonal encoding) and the codeword processor 213 (codeword repeating unit) shown in FIG. 9 is omitted. The signal processor 203 transmits multiple DRC values over a single carrier instead of the omitted error tolerance improvement information.

Since the above processing is omitted, 12-bit information can be transmitted. Therefore, multiple DRC values can be transmitted (the DRC value is configured by four bits). The information capacity of the information can be further increased by modulating the information (such as QPSK).

[Effects and advantages]

According to the first and second embodiments described above, when the number (1) of reverse link carriers (carrier Crv1) is smaller than that of the wireless base stations 100A to 100C (forward link carriers) of transmission carriers Cfw1 to Cfw3 (forward link carriers), When the number of wireless base stations) (three base stations), the carrier Crv1 is used to transmit the DRC values for the wireless base stations 100A to 100C.

The DRC values for the radio base stations 100A to 100C transmitted to the radio base station 100A are relayed to the radio base station 100B and the radio base station 100C by an existing communication protocol.

Therefore, even in a state where the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number of wireless base stations transmitting the carriers Cfw1 to Cfw3, it is certainly possible to notify the DRC value to the wireless base stations.

To transmit multiple DRC values using a single reverse link carrier, any of the following methods can be used: (1) extending the DRC length, (2) adding a spreading code (Walsh code), and (3) omitting errors Tolerant improvement information (biorthogonal encoding and codeword repetition).

Thanks to these methods, the present invention can be easily applied without significantly changing the specifications of existing mobile communication networks (nxEV-DO).

[Other examples]

As described above, although the content of the present invention is disclosed through the embodiments of the present invention, any description or drawings constituting the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, according to the above-described embodiments, the wireless communication terminal 200 is described as a mobile phone terminal. However, the wireless communication terminal 200 may employ a card type that can be installed in a personal computer, a PDA, or the like. In addition, the function of the wireless communication terminal 210 according to the present invention is also provided as a wireless communication module.

According to the above-described embodiments, the radio communication terminal 200 transmits the DRC values for the radio base stations 100A to 100C using a single reverse link carrier (carrier Crv1). However, when the wireless communication terminal 200 uses two or more reverse link carriers, the wireless communication terminal 200 may use the two or more reverse link carriers to transmit multiple DRC values.

As described, it is obvious that the present invention also includes various embodiments and the like which are not described in this description. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the specific subject matter of the present invention according to the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims as appropriate for the present disclosure.

Note that the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-370173 (filed on December 22, 2005) are incorporated herein by reference.

As described above, even when the number of reverse link carriers is smaller than the number of wireless base stations transmitting forward link carriers, the wireless communication terminal and communication method according to the present invention can certainly notify the speed control value to the wireless base stations. Therefore, the wireless communication terminal and communication method according to the present invention are advantageous for wireless communication such as mobile communication.

Claims (4)

1. A wireless communication terminal for multi-carrier communication, the wireless communication terminal comprising: a sender, sending a DRC value for controlling the data rate of the reverse link, The transmitter transmits the DRC value for each of the plurality of reverse link direction carriers using a fewer number of forward link carriers than the plurality of reverse link direction carriers by increasing the number of Walsh codes. 2. A wireless communication terminal for multi-carrier communication, the wireless communication terminal comprising: a sender, sending a DRC value for controlling the data rate of the reverse link, The transmitter transmits the DRC value for each of a plurality of reverse link direction carriers using one forward link carrier by increasing the number of Walsh codes. 3. A communication method for carrying out multi-carrier communication, said communication method comprising the steps of: The wireless communication terminal sends a DRC value for controlling the data rate of the reverse link, In the transmitting step, transmitting each of the plurality of reverse link direction carriers using a fewer number of forward link carriers than the plurality of reverse link direction carriers by increasing the number of Walsh codes DRC value. 4. A communication method for carrying out multi-carrier communication, said communication method comprising the steps of: The wireless communication terminal sends a DRC value for controlling the data rate of the reverse link, In the transmitting step, the DRC value for each of the plurality of reverse link direction carriers is transmitted using one forward link carrier by increasing the number of Walsh codes.

Images